Ohio Reference
Excellence
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Accuracy and Currency
Be sure that the information you are giving out is correct and current.
Finding the Correct Answer
The information you find should fill the real information need and allow your patron to say yes when you
ask the follow-up question: "Does this completely answer
your question?" However, the purpose of your search is not to find a quick answer to
a question. The purpose is to find complete and accurate information.
A Common Reference Problem
Some of the most common problems in reference work that
prevent successful, accurate answers are:
- Telling the patron the information is not available when it is, either in your own
branch or through a referral.
- Reading information incorrectly; for example, reading the wrong line of a table or
transposing numbers.
- Not clearly understanding the patron's question and answering the wrong question; for
example, giving the patron information on the worst plane crash in the U.S. when the
patron really wanted the worst crash worldwide.
- Answering off the top of your head without verifying the information first.
- Providing outdated information.
Currency
Depending on the subject, outdated information simply may be
wrong. Examples are.
- Addresses and phone numbers of businesses
- Scientific, medical or legal information
There are many other instances, of course, when older
information is inaccurate. When should you suspect you have an outdated source?
- Check the date of the material you are using. Do you suspect there is newer information
to be had, even if you don't have it? Sometimes there are clues in the material itself.
You may have a third edition, dated 1975. Is there a newer edition now?
- Statistical tables should indicate on the table the date of the information given.
Tables usually give the name of the group or agency that compiled them. It's worth
checking to see if later figures are available.
- Office holders change very fast. Directories are generally out of date before they are
published.
If you suspect newer information may be available:
- Check with your patron to find out if newer material is needed.
- If it is, offer to pursue the question, giving the patron a realistic idea of when you
might have the updated materials.
- If the patron can't wait for the referral process or prefers to make a direct contact,
offer a source where the patron can go directly to get updated information. For example,
check the statistical table to find out who compiled the data, and use a directory to get
a current phone number. Or, if a person is looking for the name of a current office
holder, offer to supply the phone number of the government office. Better yet, call the
office yourself to verify the information.
Remote Reference Accuracy
If you are consulting and/or "pushing" a Web site,
do the following to insure accuracy:
- Offer accurate responses: check facts and know (evaluate) sources.
- Check spelling in written responses, and validate URLS.
- Select and cite only from authoritative resources (evaluation criteria for web
resources: author, content, domain name, date of last revision, objectivity, authority,
and accuracy.
- Always cite sources of information completely, whether web page, reference book,
database, or other.
- Use a consistent citation style institution-wide, if possible.
- Add value to information either through analysis, description, keywords, pathways, or
rewording.
Major Point: To provide accurate information: verify the question; use accurate and
current sources; and relay the information carefully.
- In each of the sources, look up information on world population and on the population of
Ohio. Be sure and check the index or table of contents of each source to locate all
information that may pertain to population.
- Is the information the same in the different sources, i.e. does the content of the
information conflict, not just the amount of information.
- Can you get all the information from just one of the sources if the patron wants to know
about the issue of over-population of the world?
- Look at the publication date to determine how old the information is. Find out if there
are newer editions available that might have more current information.
- What is the result for your patron if you use old information?
- What is the result for your patron if you use only one source of information and it is
not the most complete source?
Throughout this module you will be working more with these books, so keep your answers
and the books handy.
Answers
Asking experts
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Verify the question, use the best resource, check for currency,
and take care in relaying the information.
"This information is the most current available. Does this completely answer your
question?"
Accuracy in Reading Charts
One common source of errors is misreading information contained in charts. Here are some
tips to help you avoid that problem.
 Use a ruler
or straight edge to mark the line you are reading.
Note the
date of the figures you are reading and give this information to the patron.
Note the
unit of measurement used in the table.
Pay
attention to footnotes.
Note who
compiled the data (usually given at the top or bottom of the chart) and give this
information to the patron.
Guidelines
for Information Services, Section 2.4 states:
The library should provide access to the most current reference sources available in order
to assure the accuracy of information."
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